Cracking the Case:

1
Cracking the Case

• Microstamping

Joshua Horwitz Educational Fund to Stop Gun
Violence Jhorwitz_at_csgv.org
2
Components of a Cartridge
3
Components of a Gun
4
Cartridge Case Ejection
5
Current Technology IBIS

• Computerized database
• Includes cases and bullets
• Hundreds of thousands of records
• Finds likely matches in seconds

• Top candidates reviewed by trained examiner

6
New Technology Microstamping
Inventors Todd Lizotte Orest Ohar Manchester,
NH www.NanoMark.com
7
Firing Pin Detail Example
Tip Primary Code
Gear Code 1st Counter Measure
Radial Code 2nd Counter Measure
8
Breach Face Mark
Firing Pin Mark
SW10
8 Digit Code
SW10
Gear Code
1233
1233
Primer
Head Stamp / Casing
9
NanoMark TM Ballistic ID TagTM Manufacturing
Keeping The Focus On The Physical Evidence. TM
MicroStamping Manufacturing Added Cost
Low Volume / Specialty Firearms Manufacturers
Semi / Fully Automated System 250,000.00 to
350,000.00
Medium Volume Firearms Manufacturers
Large Volume / Military Firearms Manufacturers
Manual System / 200,000.00
Licensed Regional Job Shops (Multiple
Sources) Competitive Pricing Quality
Licensed Captive Manufacturers
Licensed Captive Manufacturers Providing
Services (Excess Production Capacity)
Lizotte and Ohar developed a new direct write
maskless process which has reduced capital costs
10
Fired Cartridge Cases from the Thompson SMG Sub
Machine Gun after 2500 rds.
.45 Cal Cartridges Used
From a Study by Lucien Haag Presented to the
National Academy of Sciences
11
9mm Glock Firing Pin Impression after 1400 rounds
Glock Firing Pin after 1400 rounds (image
reversed)
12
SEM View at 130X
13
Fired Cartridge Cases from the Browning 1917A1
MG MG Machine Gun after 2500 rds.
30-06 Cartridges Used
From a Study by Lucien Haag Presented to the
National Academy of Sciences
14
SEM at 130X Winchester Cartridge after ca. 200
rds.
SEM at 130X Norinco Cartridge With Massive Shear
15
9mm Glock Firing Pin Impression after 1400 rounds
Glock Firing Pin after 1400 rounds (image
reversed)
From a Study by Lucien Haag Presented to the
National Academy of Sciences
16
SUMMARY Ballistic ID Tagging Glock Project
The scraping action associated with Glock firing
pins does not degrade the embossed ID
information after 1400 rounds.
Lacquered primers do not present a problem.
Ageing of fired cartridges followed by cleaning
does not present a problem.
Misfired cartridges and variations in peak
pressure during discharge do not present a
problem.
Primer finish and hardness do not present a
problem.
From a Study by Lucien Haag Presented to the
National Academy of Sciences